6 Of London’s Best Cheap Eats For Those End-Of-The-Month Budgets

We all know what it’s like to be counting the pennies (and the hours) until the next pay cheque.

It means going out less, scrimping on the cash and generally focusing our attention on cheap, if not free, activities. But! You don’t have to stop the fun entirely! Here are some ruddy great meals that won’t cost you a ruddy great fortune to eat.

The Potato Project’s jackets

I’m probably the biggest potato fan there is. If somebody told me I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, it’d be potatoes. If somebody asked me what my last meal on earth would be, I’d tell them straight up that I’ll have a jacket potato with cheese and beans and a little extra cheese… because, f*ck it, I’m in the very last moments of my life. Anyway, I’ve gone off on somewhat of a tangent here, so let’s get back to the point. The Potato Project serve up some dead posh spuds, topped with everything from BBQ shredded duck to blue cheese and truffle oil, and the most you’ll ever pay is £7.65. Now, that may sound like a lot for a jacket potato but, c’mon, did you hear me say ‘BBQ shredded duck’?!

Pizza Union’s pizzas

Pizza Union is ideal for the times you fancy a carbalicious treat, but you’re not up for splashing the cash. A proper, human-sized margarita costs just £3.95. But, if I were you, I’d opt for the Romana for a modest £6.50, topped with goat’s cheese, pancetta and wild broccoli. Or, if you like it spicy, go for the Calabria with mascarpone, n’duja sausage and rocket. Whatever you go for, you’ll never spend more than £7 (unless you pile your pie with extra toppings). It’s proper Italian pizza for proper cheap prices. And, for the ultimate carb overload, finish your meal with a warm dough ring with Nutella and mascarpone. BOOM.

FYI, they also do a cracking gluten free pizza. It’s a pound extra (obviously), but well worth it if you’re avoiding the nasty G-word.

Offering a place for ‘casual dining’ where typical Korean drinks and popular dishes can be enjoyed together in a Korean tradition known as “anju“, On The Bab is – unsurprisingly – extremely popular. Small dishes include Gimari Salad (fried seaweed roll salad with a special soy sauce), and Toppoki (a spicy rice cake with vegetables and fish cakes), all of which are totally delicious. For mains you have options such as ‘On the Rice’, ‘On the Bun’ and ‘On the Roll’, or more traditional dishes including Kimchi Bokeum Bab, which is Korean style kimchi bacon paella with fried egg, and Soondubu Jjigae – a spicy tofu & seafood stew with free range egg, made Koba style. Yes, YUM indeed! Most things come in under the £10 mark, bar the Softshell Crab Bun.

Various Locations.

Padella’s pasta

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Starting at just £4 for a delicious plate of gnocchi, Padella is surely a winner for bargain-hunting pasta lovers. Even their Negronis are only a fiver. So you could technically leave fed and watered for less than a tenner. I’m sold. And that was before I read about the rabbit and pork belly tortellini. WHERE DO I BOOK?! The answer to that question is actually “you can’t, they don’t take reservations” but, for £5 Negronis, I’ll stand in any queue.

Billy and the Chicks’ chicken

If you’re a fan of great beer, great food and great music, (think Biggie and Missy Elliot), then you’re sure to get excited about this Soho fried chicken restaurant. With a variety of ways to eat your succulent, crispy fried chicken, (we’re talking burgers, wings, strips and pieces paired with a mouth-watering selection of sides including mac n cheese, fries and gravy), Billy and the Chicks is really cluckin’ good! And it’s all easy on the wallet, too, so you won’t need more than a £10 note (not that anyone uses cash anymore).

Phat Phuc’s Noodles

A Vietnamese name translating to ‘Happy Buddha’ and, frankly, giving us all a lot of laughs, this authentic restaurant in a beautiful courtyard off King’s Road will fill you with health and happiness. All of their mains, including nice, tasty Laksas or deliciously fresh Phos, cost just £8. You can also buy a Phat Phuc t-shirt (£11.95) or cap (£5.95). You know, just FYI.

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Georgie is Deputy Editor at Secret London. She loves a trendy café and is all too familiar with the extortionate price of a coffee in the capital. She enjoys the finer things in life (like red wine on a school night and eating Ben and Jerry's straight from the tub) and hasn't quite grasped the concept of adulthood yet.